#startup101 blog series Episode 4
Today is the day to put in some work! If you have been following closely, you know we are going to get into what Jeff thought initially and what are some of the first steps he wanted me to take on improving my brand/product.
After a quick review, here are some of Jeff’s thoughts.
Jeff says, “ As a young brand you need to seal impressions with consumers.” I was using multiple graphics on multiple pieces with multiple colors. Jeff wanted me to take notice of what major brands do to make themselves stay relevant. Think of Coca-Cola, Nike, Panera bread or Kroger. He stated not only do you see their logo but a color and sometimes a smell. This is not an accident, it’s restraint. Jeff said that this is dedication and belief.
Jeff then proceeded to give me a link to an article on Google (https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/1384074) and why their homepage looks so plain. My take away from this article was that people are willing to follow your brand but you have to give them a clear path on how and why they should support and use your products. Without giving away the full article, just by making a simple addition they now garner over a billion unique visits a month.
For my first assignment, Jeff wants to see me create a sentence that defines my marketplace. What Jeff is looking for is my company’s mission statement. Also, he want’s me to narrow down my focus to three principle interest that I want the public to have access to. This is not a daunting task but one you should take very seriously if you want to be more than just a blip on the radar.
My company was born out of failures. Every aspect of my life from a spiritual, emotional, physical and a financial outlook was damaged. When I decided to create my company, athleisure apparel was the first thing that came to mind to display a message of strength, hope, and inspiration. So I looked to my favorite brands for motivation to help me mold my own authentic look and narrative.
My first order of business was to lay out my color palette for my company. Colors have distinct meanings and they can tell the story of your brand. Below you will see the color palette for Out Of Shape Fitness.
White: Successful Beginnings
My company uses it’s branded logos to solely represent a lifestyle of being out of shape. My logos look strong when lined up next to iconic logos. Even if I say so myself.
Our mission statement: “OOSF wants to spread a global message with our products that being out of shape is more than just three words.We are committed to everyday people who are striving to work out of the shape their lives are in and into the best shape that elevates them.”
As Jeff stated earlier, you have to be dedicated and believe. I definitely believe in my brand. Check back Friday as I get into what three areas of my business I want the public to have access to and how I start to create my company’s layout. Until then, keep shaping!
